Devv's 2015 - 16, Life is good!

Well here we go again!
 
I just got finished planting seeds for 70 plants. Scaling back a bit this year; last year was a lot of work! That and I have to do more than garden this season
 
My apologies as I can't remember shit where I got all the seeds from. Some were harvested from pods some I saved, and some were sent to me. I can say this 99% originated from the most generous THP members!
 
Without further ado, here's the 2015 list:
 
Red 7 Pot Lava: Mikey
Black Thai        : Mikey
Yellow Jonah  : Mikey
Jack’s Choc Superhot: Mikey
Red Bhutlah   : Mikey
Tepin x Lemmon drop
Pimenta Lisa : Stefan
Brazilian Starfish
Bell
Poblano
Billy Biker
Jalapeno
Jimmy Nardello
Bishops Crown
Sweet Hungarian Paprika
Bahamian Goat
Urfa Biber
Jelly Bean White Hab
Jigsaw
Nagabrain F4
Numex Jalamundo
Cream Fatalii
Isabella Island Hab: Jim
Cherry Bomb: Jim
Moa
Kurt’s
JA Habs
White Bhut
Anaheim
Jigsaw
Burgundy
Ma Wiri wiri: Jim
Pepperdew: Jim
Pimenta De Padron: Jim
Wild tepin: Jim
Jigsaw
Six secrets from Stefan
Orange Primo: Mikey
Choc Bhutlah
Scotch Bonnet x Indian Red
Red Lava: Mikey
White Hab
Naga King: Rick
BOC: Rick
 
I leaned more towards peppers my wife can eat. After all she helped me quite a bit, I might as well grow some for her
 
Last season was a challenge regarding what was what. I eventually figured them out, but was not happy with the confusion. And yeah, I'm easily confused.
 
Here's a pic of the 70 starters:
 

 
Trying something different, the Jiffy's are numbered and will be entered into a spreadsheet. As they pop, they will go into the solo cups with permanent marker to label them.
 
This year I'm starting things in the converted hunting room (man cave?). LB wanted the extra bedroom back   The room is part of the shop; 24x8 and insulated. It's been rather nasty for the last 4 or 5 days, damp and temps below 52°, but it was 68° in there a few minutes ago. Also I'm trying a heating mat to help with germination, which was abysmal IMHO last year.
 
Anyone who knows how I fly, knows I like to grow in the dirt. I have a few in containers from last season, but they just don't do as well.
 
I put a ton (literally) of work into the soil since the start of last season.
 
I feel soil preparation is the key to success:
 

 

 
I tilled in over 24 yards of RCW and 10 yards of shredded leaves after pulling the plants in the fall.
 

 
I then planted Crimson Clover and Rye as a cover crop, this pic is from 2 weeks ago..
 

 
The area I planted the cover crop in is 2,300 to 2,500 square feet. Half is framed for sunshade. A must in the 100% summer sun the garden gets. There's some Comfrey of the left
 

 

 
Dec. 6th I tilled in the whole shootin' match. I waited too long. But I do like it when it darkens up. This is what it looks like after 2 2" deep passes. If you wait too long the roots form a sod, this makes for a bad day of tilling. I got this far and decided to call it. Shiner time!

Once I'm sure most is dead and wont come back when I water crop 2 goes in.
 

 
On 12-10

The grass on top has dried, and rain is forecast through Sunday (yeah right), so I tilled again. It brought up the grass from below and now the garden looks like last Sunday. I went a couple of notches deeper this time to break up more of the roots. I spread rye seed and watered for 45 minutes. It should come up quickly as the weather is warm for a week or more. 50's-70's.
 

 
This is the garden today, the second cover crop is just coming up. And I have to prep an area for onions, which hit the dirt January 15th. The rest gets tilled in at the end of the month.
 
I fly out of here tomorrow afternoon, and won't be back until a week from now. So I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!
 

 

[Blister]

Can't wait to see how this glog rolls out even if you're scaling back to only 70 plants... Got my eye on the Chocolate Bhutlah. From what I've seen on the Youtube review vids, it looks like a real shocker!

Safe travels and have a Merry Christmas!

Neil

 

[PaulG]

Hey, Scott, the cover crop looks great.

 

[Jamison]

Way to go Scott!  That soil has got to be prime time man,  absolute gold!  Merry Christmas to you and LB!  Have a safe flight back home.

 

[wahlee76]

Nice list, again. Good luck with the 2015 season

 

[Devv]

Well we got back in to town last night. We had a good time visiting family and even spent a few nights in Vegas. Mom lives within 2 hours so it's perfect. We brought her a flat screen for Christmas (she cried), it's the first TV she's had in 11 years. I hooked her laptop to it and set her up on Netflix so she can catch up. She moved to the desert in Az. over 11 years ago to get away from city life (she's chemically sensitive due to stress). The good thing is she's way better; theree's no way 11 years ago she would have let me bring in the laptop and TV.
 
I fear I'll need bumps today
 

Merry Christmas Scott. Your plants are going to love your soil after all that prep work.

 
Thanks Terry!
 
I sure hope so, it was a ton of work, and I'm not done
 

Cant wait to see how many pages you get to this year, lol...
 
Btw, is that some squash in the bottom right corner?

 
Yes sir! That's a volunteer, it's given us a few nice winter "zukes". So far no hard frosts or freezes, but the winter is young...
 
 

Here we go!!! Can't wait to see how your grow goes this year!! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

 
Thanks Daniel!
 
I hope your Christmas was a fantastic one!
 
 

And we are off and racing! Can't wait Devv ... Your blog is always a good show!

 
Thanks Tristen!
 
I have a lot of catching up to do! While I was away I had a decent germ rate on the starters
 

Another epic grow! I followed along all last year, and will do so again this year!
 
It looks like a lot of folks are toning down the heat a bit. Variety is the spice of life!
 
Best of luck and happy holidays!

 
Thanks John!
 
Well I toned down a bit on the supers because I can't eat them fast enough (without serious issues )
 
Hope your Christmas was great!
 

Your off to a great looking start Scott! Best of luck this season.

 
Thanks Mike!
 
Have you started any seeds yet?
 
 

I'm on board for this wild ride. Looking good bud.

 
Thanks Jeff!
 
I hoping for a good year, going to prep for onions tomorrow before the nasty weather comes in.
 

Nice work Scott, looks like a great start to another epic glog. Your Rye has really taken off since last you posted. Mine really hasnt done much still about 3-4" tall. Course we are alot colder than you are and I'm thinking that in the spring it will shoot up like a rocket, (hopefully). We did have a week or so of 60 degree weather so I saw it as an oprotunity to give it a good watering. Can't wait to get started this spring.
 
Your list looks great, nice selcetion you have and will be fun to watch you progress.
 
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 
Thanks Anthony!
 
And yes our warmer weather helps a lot with the growth here. The second planting is almost ready to till. I like to start 30 days before setting out the plants to make sure it's all killed and decaying. If it's not completely dead it becomes a weed (I guess)
 
I hope your Christmas was special! And have a Happy New Years!
 
OK, I know the posting Po-po's will bust me, so I'll need a bump please

 

[thirdcoasttx]

Bump

 

[Devv]

Totally Awesome Scott!  Digging that list you got. Been thinking about adding biker billy to my grow as well. Hope you and your family have a great Christmas!

 
Thanks Aaron!
 
The Billy Biker is a great pepper, holler if you need some seeds.
 
Thanks for the Christmas wishes. I hope yours was great!
 

Hell yeah Scott hope those seeds i sent work out for you!  No chocolate bhutlah or chocolate brain strain? 

 
Hi Mikey!
 
I have the Choc Bhutlah planted, but not the Brain strain. I'll start those for the fall planting. This year I want to be able to walk between the rows. Thanks again for the seeds!
 

+1 to what everyone has already said, safe travels merry Christmas, happy and prosperous new year, enjoy the trip, and here's looking forward to a pirate convention in the grow dome when you get back!

 
Thanks Bruce!
 
I hope your Christmas was fantastic. We had a nice time in Az. and Vegas, but always good to be back home!
 
Have a Happy New Year!
 

Of to an great season again, Scott! Have an great one and looking forward to your updates as always

 
Thanks Stefan!
 
I hope you're enjoying the holidays

Bump

 Thanks!
 
 

Can't wait to see how this glog rolls out even if you're scaling back to only 70 plants... Got my eye on the Chocolate Bhutlah. From what I've seen on the Youtube review vids, it looks like a real shocker!

Safe travels and have a Merry Christmas!

Neil

 
Thanks Neil!
 
Looking forward to a little bit easier season this year.
 
Thanks for the holiday wishes, and have a Happy New Year!
 

Hey, Scott, the cover crop looks great.

 
Thanks Paul!
 
I'm a firm believer in the cover crops, they really help regenerate the soil!
 

Way to go Scott!  That soil has got to be prime time man,  absolute gold!  Merry Christmas to you and LB!  Have a safe flight back home.

 
Thanks Jamison!
 
The soil is getting there...the topsoil I added last spring was really heavy, even after tilling it in 8"s deep! I'm hoping for better tilth after adding all the goodies
 
Thanks for the Christmas wishes, we had a blast. I hope yours was great! It's a fun time when the kids are young
 

Nice list, again. Good luck with the 2015 season

 
Thanks Wally!
 
I'm looking forward to this spring!
 
Okies, so I'm caught up, phew!
 
I came in last night and just had to check to see if any ladies are poking their heads up.
 

 
I was pleasantly surprised! A few are a bit leggy, but now under the T8's. The heat mat really improved the germ rates. We had to run to SA this morning so I didn't have time to move the sprouts to solo cups. I'll do that in the morning...
 

 
While I was gone some packages arrived!
 
Just can't beat the pepper love here!
 

 
Dave (cone9) sent me seeds and Apple Leather. It looks just like jerky, I tasted it. First off Apple flavor, then the fire..LOL
 
Then I saw the writing on the bag, and Googled Apple Leather. Very nice Dave and thanks again!
 

 
Jeff (Hillbilly Jeff) sent me these 2 bottles of hot sauce and some powder. Can't wait to try these
 
Thanks Jeff!
 

 
This is from Greg (Pic 1), judging from what he sent me last year, it's going to be killer!
 
Thanks Greg!

 

[sicman]

Looks great. Best of luck with the New Year.

 

[MeatHead1313]

Looking good Scott!

 

[PaulG]

Awesome, buddy!  Couldn't happen to a nicer guy!
 
Your sprouts look great!   You're off and running, now!

 

[Roguejim]

Apple leather??!?  I'll have to Google that one.  PIC1'S sauces always look so good.  I wish he'd give up some recipes for us schmucks!!

 

[East Texas Heat]

Looking good Scott, glad you and LB made it baxk safe from Aridzona! Happy new year.

 

[PaulS]

Looking really nice. Your backyard setup looks awesome, I'm sure all your hardwork will be worth it.
Good luck dude

 

[rory]

Subscribed...will be following with great interest! Best of luck.

 

[Vegas_Chili]

Very nice start Scott!! That cover crop looks nice, almost as if you can lay down on it LOL.

Looks like you had a blast on Christmas day! Hope you have a HOT new years and say hi to LB for me! I really hope I can keep up this season LOL. I wonder if y'all wondering why I'm so quiet. Well I been dealing with life issues like we all have and I just wanted to stay low-key for a while to think clearly and solve my issues. Well things aren't going that well, but here I am.

Hope you have a better year than the last! I hope I can keep up too LMAO! To year 2015!!

- Walt

 

[Seacowboy]

Looking like an excellent start there my friend. Looking forward to tagging along for the ride.

 

[jedisushi06]

Nice goodies you got there scott.

 

[Devv]

Looks great. Best of luck with the New Year.

 
Thanks Siccy!
I'm loving the improvements you're making to your place!
 
 

Looking good Scott!

 
Thanks Chris!
 
We're rolling now!
 

Awesome, buddy!  Couldn't happen to a nicer guy!
 
Your sprouts look great!   You're off and running, now!

 
Thanks Paul!
 
Now I just need to keep them alive
 

Apple leather??!?  I'll have to Google that one.  PIC1'S sauces always look so good.  I wish he'd give up some recipes for us schmucks!!

 
I guess you could say the Apple Leather is like a fruit roll-up, the first taste sensation is Apple, then the heat. Very different if you've never had it before, but good!
 
And I agree, Greg is great in the kitchen. I'd be willing to bet he would share if you asked
 

Looking good Scott, glad you and LB made it baxk safe from Aridzona! Happy new year.

 
Thanks Bruce!
 
It was a fun trip, I enjoyed seeing Mom get excited over the TV. Vegas hit us in the pockets as usual, but we use "blow money" the wife earns writing websites on the side. I sat down next to a guy who was in the casino 5 minutes, and he won $4,600 on a slot machine! I'm ready for some of that action!
 
Happy New Year!
 

Looking really nice. Your backyard setup looks awesome, I'm sure all your hardwork will be worth it.
Good luck dude

 
Thanks Paul!
 
The soil gets better every year, but it's hungry!
 

Subscribed...will be following with great interest! Best of luck.

 
Thanks Rory for stopping by!
 
Goal this season is to kick some tail
 

Very nice start Scott!! That cover crop looks nice, almost as if you can lay down on it LOL.
 
I grew up in New York, and rye is what they grow as a lawn there. Very soft grass, and no stickers!

Looks like you had a blast on Christmas day! We spent Christmas Eve. and Christmas day at Mom's, it's kinda like camping when we go there...LOL. But it was good to see her. Hope you have a HOT new years and say hi to LB for me!  I really hope I can keep up this season LOL. I wonder if y'all wondering why I'm so quiet. Well I been dealing with life issues like we all have and I just wanted to stay low-key for a while to think clearly and solve my issues. Well things aren't going that well, but here I am.
 
LB and I thought about you when we landed in Las Vegas, hope things sort out in a good way.

Hope you have a better year than the last! I hope I can keep up too LMAO! To year 2015!!

- Walt
 
Thanks Walt!
 
Happy New Year!

 
 

Looking like an excellent start there my friend. Looking forward to tagging along for the ride.

 
Thanks Jason!
 
Hop aboard!
 

Nice goodies you got there scott.

 
Thanks Mikey,
 
Heat we have here at the house
 
I spent the morning moving 27 plants to solo cups, they're under the T8's. Not bad germ rates for 7-8 days. I have a few hooking as well. The heat mat is the real deal!
 

 
A few laid down (after handling) and are starting to stand back up. The ones that did must have popped in just a few days, and the room they're in only has North windows. So far the temps under the lights are holding at 70°, fingers crossed.
 

 
A shot of the second cover crop. I tilled the small area as preparation for the Onion crop. I'm trying to do crop rotation but it's hard to do when Nightshades are the bulk of my grow. I'm going to run out and buy the materials to extend the shade framing tomorrow. I'm just adding 10' x 40' to the North side this season, as I'm trying to keep the costs down.
 

 
This is close to a yard of bark I ground up after the firewood splitting marathon. It's to be used as mulch for the walk ways. In addition, when the weather gets nicer I still need to scarf about 24 yds from the county, and regrind it into a finer mulch.
 

 
The grounds keepers at work have so far loaded my truck 3 times with leaves, not the fluffy bags that weigh 3 lbs, these weigh 40 or so. Once ground the pile is less than a pickup load, but lots denser!
I hope they saved me more!
 
That's all I have

 

[Datil]

Excellent soil prep!
Best of luck for the season!

Datil

 

[Devv]

Excellent soil prep!
Best of luck for the season!

Datil

 
Thanks Fabrizio!
 
Happy New Year!
 
Being it was a 35° drizzle day yesterday and the same was forecast for today LB and I decided to make something we haven't had around here for quite some time. So we went out and stocked up:
 

 
Can you tell where this is headed?
 
LB's friend Alice gave us the recipe for the Pork and Masa; she and LB made Tamales for many years while the kids were still at home. This is our first solo attempt.
 
The day before cook the Pork and start the beans. The Pork roast went in a pot with Onions and Garlic, it was cooked until the meat could be pulled.
 

 
The Beans were also started the day before. LB soaked 2lb's of Pinto beans for 8 hours, placed them in the crock pot set on low. Added 1 medium Onion, a 10 oz.can of Rotel, salt, pepper, fajita seasoning, garlic powder, and salt pork. Add Jal's to taste. Let them cook overnight and by then they should have a nice thick gravy.
 

 
Re-hydrating the dried Ancho peppers. We used 5 oz. and added 7 cloves of crushed garlic and 7 crushed Allspice. This gets cooked for 30 minutes after the water starts boiling. We removed the seeds and placenta from the peppers prior to cooking.
 
After the peppers have cooked down blend them until smooth.
 

 
Here's the peppers and meat, please note the consistency. Tamales are a big deal here, especially during the Christmas holiday. They're made at restaurants and at home. I've tasted them from many sources; Alice's were simply the best. A full flavor and not dried out.
 

 
The lard is used for the Masa and the Beans, don't worry, most gets cooked out.
 

 
5 lbs of Masa with the Chili Powder added, LB used some salt too. She then added 11 spoons of lard to this, using the black spoon shown in the pic above. You want to only add enough lard to make the Masa spreadable, but not sticky.
 

 
Masa spread on the corn husks, spread it as thin as possible. Not all husks are wide enough so we "glue them" together when we need to.
 

 
Yeah, they're messy to make..LOL. The idea is to fold the 1/3 side over the meat and then fold the other side over.
 

 
The beans are mashed with a potato masher and 2.5 spoons of lard added. The lard adds flavor and keeps the beans from running out the sides. They weren't hot enough so I added a MoA and a JA Hab, and I could have added more
 

 
We cook them 35 minutes in a steamer, let them cool to warm and dig in!
 
This batch yielded about 8 dozen.